Patchett Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 I realise that this is an old thread, but if anyone is still interested in the Cresta fleet and MFB boats, I can share some historical photos and details 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitch22 Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Yes please, I noticed your name. You must be full of information:) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchett Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 2 hours ago, Kitch22 said: Yes please, I noticed your name. You must be full of information:) Hehe … yes, my grandfather was Cliff Patchett, partner and director of MFB from 1959 until 1992. He designed and oversaw the construction of the Cresta fleet. I was saddened to hear about the breaking up of Crestella, she was my favourite in the hire fleet and sailed very well, achieving awards in the Barton regatta. She was exhibited at the London boat show in ‘68 and had a special visitor as shown here in the photo (Ted Heath). Do I understand correctly that Crestadonna is still in existence? I note your profile photo appears to be her. I have many photos of her construction. I will upload them separately and share the link here since there are so many. I’m thinking of making a page with photos and information. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitch22 Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 That’s fantastic to hear, someone with some information. I have many stories concerning Cresta Donna. She was my dads pride and joy and now me and my brother are getting her back up to scratch. My email is kitch22@me.com and pictures would be very much appreciated. I was also sad to hear of so many Cresta’s being chopped up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitch22 Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitch22 Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 I have so many questions I don’t know where to start. Firstly I would like to restore as much as possible to original build. Were the sails just plain white? Any markings? Need new ones but want to get them as close to original as possible. Don’t have any spare ones kindling around do you? Haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchett Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Here’s a photo from Crestadonna’s launching and christening in 1982. From right: Cliff Patchett (my grandfather), Jimmy Hoseason, Bernard Sinclair (partner in MFB). 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchett Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 36 minutes ago, Kitch22 said: I have so many questions I don’t know where to start. Firstly I would like to restore as much as possible to original build. Were the sails just plain white? Any markings? Need new ones but want to get them as close to original as possible. Don’t have any spare ones kindling around do you? Haha Here she is with her original sails :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchett Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 57 minutes ago, Kitch22 said: Wonderful to see her and know she’s being taken care of! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitch22 Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Thank you very much I really appreciate it. Plain white sails it is then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 Sadly the original poster of this thread departed this world in 2020 but reading how the last posts have panned I reckon he'd be well chuffed he started it. Good pics and history coming to light. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitch22 Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 So what is the actual date of build completion for Cresta Donna? 1982? I will get a brass plate made for her with her original name, date of birth and MFB on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitch22 Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 On 27/08/2020 at 19:53, C.Ricko said: you won't see Crestella again, I took this before it was broken up earlier this year... What are the dimensions for this plaque? I want to make one similar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Ricko Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Hi, It is 4" long by just under 2" high (15/16) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Ricko Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 shame Crestella was broken but she was in a state, I have a couple of bunk fronts I salvaged and a chrome toilet pump, knowing now that she was exhibited I am glad the name plate didn't go in the skip. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchett Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 On 18/09/2021 at 13:07, Kitch22 said: So what is the actual date of build completion for Cresta Donna? 1982? I will get a brass plate made for her with her original name, date of birth and MFB on it. Wonderful! It was 1982 according to my records Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchett Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Some more of Crestella at the boat show 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchett Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 On 18/09/2021 at 13:07, Kitch22 said: So what is the actual date of build completion for Cresta Donna? 1982? I will get a brass plate made for her with her original name, date of birth and MFB on it. We only fitted brass plates on the boats that were exhibited, which explains why Crestadonna doesn’t have one. Just in case you wondered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchett Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 In case anyone is interested in some photos of Martham Ferry Boatyard and the different boats in the 1960-80s, I have uploaded some here on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/194041782@N06/albums The quality is not great since they are scans and some of these photos are almost 60 years old, but at least it gives an impression and helps some of us recall fond memories. I will continue to add more info and photos as and when I discover them. 2 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turnoar Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 I recognise at least one of the boat builders in the Asaph pictures and clearly remember the yacht being moored in the Pleasure Boat dyke in the mid eighties one weekend at least, spoke to the owner at the time, looks like the guy with the glasses on. Lovely yacht, trust it is still about somewhere. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oddfellow Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 16 hours ago, Patchett said: In case anyone is interested in some photos of Martham Ferry Boatyard and the different boats in the 1960-80s, I have uploaded some here on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/194041782@N06/albums The quality is not great since they are scans and some of these photos are almost 60 years old, but at least it gives an impression and helps some of us recall fond memories. I will continue to add more info and photos as and when I discover them. What a brilliant resource you are sharing there. Thank you. I remember those sheds as a child. I remember walking over the "bridges" between them and I remember looking at them in a much more dilapidated state about 16 years ago with a possible view to buying the site. I live up the top of the road and regularly walk down this way. Looks very different today. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WherryNice Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 Not a great picture I know but I think this is Crestella not long before she was broken up. The pic is heavily zoomed, hence the poor quality. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchett Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 23 hours ago, Turnoar said: I recognise at least one of the boat builders in the Asaph pictures and clearly remember the yacht being moored in the Pleasure Boat dyke in the mid eighties one weekend at least, spoke to the owner at the time, looks like the guy with the glasses on. Lovely yacht, trust it is still about somewhere. Wonderful - yes, I think Asaph is still around - I recall seeing a photo somewhere, she looked a bit different though with a bowsprit added. The original owner was Mr. Blanchard, who was a musician (percussionist I believe). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchett Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 7 hours ago, Oddfellow said: What a brilliant resource you are sharing there. Thank you. I remember those sheds as a child. I remember walking over the "bridges" between them and I remember looking at them in a much more dilapidated state about 16 years ago with a possible view to buying the site. I live up the top of the road and regularly walk down this way. Looks very different today. Thanks for sharing this photo of the yard today - it looks very nice and I believe those buildings are now flats that can be rented. I do hope the business thrives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchett Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 1 hour ago, WherryNice said: Not a great picture I know but I think this is Crestella not long before she was broken up. The pic is heavily zoomed, hence the poor quality. Thanks for sharing this glimpse of the old lady in her last moments. Sad, but inevitable I suppose for an ex hire yacht of such an age... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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